Includes staples "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down," "Across the Great Divide," "Up On Cripple Creek"

Many believe it's the most perfect Americana album ever made. This 1969 touchstone very well may be. Advancing the chemistry and cohesion of the group's ground-shifting debut, The Band is an inimitable distillation of compelling storytelling, cosmic divinity, loose country-rock tunefulness, and superbly crafted songwriting. Warm, literate, poignant, and intimate, the record established new standards for seemingly effortless telepathic interplay among first-class musicians whose creations are as much about feeling as they are about sound.

This LP burrows into the sonic heart of hearth-rich fare that balances Appalachia's mountain flavors, the Old West's rollicking free spiritedness, Canada's limitless vast folk sprawl, and the Deep South's whiskey-soaked drawl. Arkansas native Richard Helm blends his rural roots with guitarist Robbie Robertson's allegorical narratives, the pair meeting at a crossroads that, on this pressing, reveals textures as organic as cotton and tonalities as timeless as the look of classic filmstrips.

Brilliant.

posted on 05/18/20155 StarsReviewer: Sean. Sydney, Austrlia.

I bought the CD after watching a classic album doco about this album and loved it from the get go. I recently purchased the vinyl and was blown away by the audio on offer. Far superior to its digital cousin with a warmth like no other.

Worth the Wait

posted on 04/29/20145 StarsReviewer: wownflutter

I originally bought the regular reissue (capitol I think). Already having the Mofi Music from Big Pink, I knew the Capitol release wasn't doing it justice. After one play I gave it away because I heard Mofi was doing this lp too. I waited months for this and it was worth it. It blows the Capitol version out of the water. A fantastic job by Mofi. If you love music (why else would you be on this website?)this needs to be in your collection. Period.

Six stars actually.

posted on 10/26/20135 StarsReviewer: SS

I think that this album is as important in the history of modern music as Sgt Peppers is. Music From Big Pink and this record are like a double album released individually. MFSL has done a remarkable service to fans of The Band by releasing these two records.